Actuating mechanism for gauges and the like



F. C. BUECHMANN ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR .GAUGES AND THE LIKE Filed June 15, 1945 June 5, 1945.

2 Sheets-Sheet l June 5, 1945. F. c, BUECHMANN 2,377,755

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR GAUGES AND THE LIKE Filed June 15, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i 4 rram'vfr Patented June 5, 1945 UNIT-ED STAT ES PATENT OFFICE.

.ACTUATING MEoHANIsM'FoR GAUGES AND THE. LIKE Frederick Buechmann, St. Albans, N. Y.

Application June .15, 1943,, .Serial lilo. 49-0 855 17 Glaims.

The presentinventionis directed toa mechanical movement whereby straight line motion may be transformed .into rotatory motion. More particularly theinvention is directedto sucha mechanism in association with other elements, to provide measuring instruments, as, -f or example, pressure gauges.

It has been common in the past, in the manufacture of pressure gauges, to provide a Bourdon tube or-othermeans for transmitting the pressure imposed upon an instrument, and, in turn, using the movements-f sucha tube to cause the movement of a pointer over a dial. In the intermediate train :of elements for translatingthe motionof the tube to rotation of the-pointer, there was usually provided a rack and gear. While thisfilnc tioned to {give the :desired indication, there were a number of disadvantages inherent therein. In order to obtain accurate readings, the .gear teeth,

' whichwere necessarily Quite small, had to bema- .Itis-alsosamong .the objects .of the present 'invention to provide a mechanism consisting of a the line motion (of the :link into rotatory motion of the gpointershaft which .is secured to the crank.

In the accompanying drawings, constituting a part hereof, and :in which :like rreference charactersiindicate like parts:

Fig. 1 rise. front (or-face view of a pressure gauge embodying the present invention, the face of the dial being abrokenhawag to show someof the operating parts; I

Fig. zisaside view of the mechanismconstitut ing the ,present invention; N

Fig. v3 is .an enlarged fragmentary, plan view 10f a portion of 'the operating mechanism showing particularly the slotted bar and associated parts, said, .being taken-along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 Fig. 4 is "a view .similar'to Fig. 3, showing the mechanism :in the opposite end of :the travel of the pin the.-slot;;

Fig. 5 is a view similar 'to .Eig. 2, showing a modified form of the5invention;

Fig. \6 is a cross-sectional :view line 6-45 of Fig. 5,;

taken along the Fig. 7 .is a fragmentary. view similar to Fig. 6,

showing the slotted member at the opposite end of its tra el; i .Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the pointershaft-and associatedparts taken alon the '1-i-ne= 8--8ofFig.5;.

Fig. 9,:is a View similar to Fig. 2, showing a slightly modified .form of the invention.

The device includes a dial :I held in :a suitable casing :(notshoumi which .in turn is secured to series of links, wherein motion of a sourcemay be transmitted positively to apointer, or the like.

ltiisistill further among theobjectsof the present invention to :provide a construction which is accurate, which may :be incorporatedin an instrument wherein the pointer is capable of making za-complete revolution, Which'can be produced in quantity without the-necessityfor having highly skilled workmen, andgwhich may :be assembled and irepairedra'pidly and accurately.-

practicing the present invention I provide the "usual dial and-pointer and means :for actuating the pointer, :as, for instance, .a Bourdon tube. zTo the movable end of said tube there is provided :a link which operates a pivoted bar,.'the latter in turn :being connected to a crank-by :a slotted member. A .fixed pin :passes through the slot and the movement of the link causes the shiftthereof.

in: 'ofthe ."pinffin theslot, zandnthereby translates a base i2-tconstituting themeans for .holding the mechanism in proper relative position. .A Bourdon tube 3 has an inlet 1 for steam, air, .or the like, the pressure of which is to :be measured, and has :a freeizend 5 capable of moving under-pressure. Aiink' 6 ieimends .irom the end 5 of :said'tube. A plate 1 is rigidly supported by posts 8 and ill in parallel relation to .base plate ;2. A pivot 10 is held :between plates 2 and 1 and .a bar .or lever 11! is pivoted thereon. iOne tend l2 thereof is connected at I3 \with link .6.

.llhe other end .M is pivotally connected to bar 115,- having a longitudinal slot I16 therein. .A pin H'Jis held in bearings 18 on plates .2 and .1, .respective1y,tand:pa'sses through slot 16. A crank 19 on crankshaft 20 is fixed in slot [6.

Pointershaft :22'is za continuation :of the crankshaft and has a pointer .23 :secured to the end .In the operation of the device the .pointer L23 is at the zero point on the dial, as shownin Fig.

1, when therei-isnopressurein tube :3. Upon :the

The crankshaft is pivoted .at 2l on plates 2 .and I.

application of pressure, link 6 is pulled to the right, as shown in Fig. 1, so that bar I l is moved to the left from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the other extreme position shown in Fig. 4. The slotted bar l5 moves to the left and slides on pin l7 until bars II and I5 are in alinement. It moves further to the left, as shown in Fig. 4, in which position pin I! is again at the end of the slot l6. These movements cause an oscillation of crank I9 and a rotation of shafts and 22. Because of the position of pin i1, pointer 23 will move to 'the right of Fig. 1 and is capable of describing an arc of about 270, assuming the position shown at 23 in Fig. 4. The motionis positions by set screws 28' operating in slot 29.

The free end 30 thereof is connected with link 6. Plate 21 provides means for adjusting the length of bar 26 to fit various actuating mechanisms.

A plate 3| having a slot 32 therein is secured in a number of desired positions on base plate 2 by set screws 33. At the end thereof-is a pin 34 which extends for a short distance at right angles to base 2. Said pin operates in slot 35 of leg or slotted bar 36 of a U-shaped crank having a base 31 and a leg or crank38 parallel to leg 36. The free end of bar '26 is pivotally mounted at 39 between legs 36 and 38.

A short pin 40 extends upwardly from leg 38 and fits into groove 4| across the lower end of extension 42 of pointer shaft 22.

The modification shown in Fig. 9 is quite similar to that shown in Figs. 1-4, inclusive, in which embodiment there is a pin H which obstructs the movement of slotted bar 15 and prevents the making of a complete circle by pointer 23. In

. Fig. 9 there is no interference with the movement of bar 15, and pointer 23' may make-a complete circle. This is accomplished by substituting for pin I! an equivalent pin [1' having at its central portion an angular crank-like extension 43 which is parallel to pin I1 .and operates in slot l6. By this means the movement of crank 19 is free, and acomplete rotation of shaft 20 is afforded, whereas in Fig. 2 pin 11 interferes with the movement of crank 19.

In the operation of the device shown in Figs. 5 to '7, when the, pointer 23 is at zero on the dial, themechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 6, with pin 34 at one end of the slot. As pressure in tube 3 is exerted, bar 6 is moved to the left,

thereby moving crank lit-38 to the left, and by the action ofpin 34, leg 36 moves so that said pin contacts along the slot until it reaches the opposite end thereof, and as pressure continues to increase, leg 36 moves back again so that pin 34 is again at the first mentioned end of the slot andthe mechanism is at the position shown in Fi 7.. I

By this series of movementsypointer 23 is moved from the zero point on the dial through allof the extent thereof, until it again reaches the zero and may even go beyond it. Normally, itis, of course, desired that the pointer does not go beyond 360. Upon the release of the pressure. intube 3, .the pointerwill rotate to the left and when the pressure has been removed, the pointer is at rest at the zero point on the dial.

From the above it will be noted that the present invention provides a simple mechanism which may be readily made in production quantities at a relatively low cost. 'The parts may be readily assembled to provide an instrument which is quite accurate and which is not subject to wear and resultant inaccuracies. Extremely fine machine work is not necessary, as ordinary tolerances may be used with good results. The mechanism is sturdy and it is proof against vibration.

Although I have described my invention setting forth three specific embodiments thereof,

the invention is not limited thereto. Many other embodiments are possible within the fundamental concept of the invention. It will be obvious to the skilled worker that many variations in the size, shape and character of the individual elements may be made while providing a device which has all of the functions of the present invention. Therefore, it is contemplated that variations in number and character of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims appended hereto.

What I claim is:

1.-In a gauge having a base, a dial mounted thereon, a pointer secured to a shaft pivoted for rotation in proximity to said dial and means for actuating said pointer, mechanism for transmitting motion from said means to said pointer com-. prising a pivoted bar having one end linked to said means, a bar having a slot therein, a pin extending from said base and into said slot, the other end of said pivoted'bar being pivotally connected to said slotted bar, a crank on said slotted bar and connected to said shaft,'whereby line motion of said means is translated into rotation of said .pointer.

2. In a gauge having a base, a dial mounted thereon, a pointer secured to a shaft pivoted for rotation in proximity to said dial and means for actuating said pointer, mechanism for transmitting .motion from said means to said pointer comprising a pivoted bar having one end linked to said means, a bar having a slot therein, a pin extending from said base and into said slot, the other end of said pivoted bar being pivotally connected to said slotted bar, a crank and crankshaft associated with and operatively connected to said slotted bar and connected tosaid shaft, said pin, pivot connection and crankshaft being parallel to each other, whereby line motion of said means is translated into rotation of said pointer. I 3. In a gauge having a base, a dial mounted thereon, a pointer secured to a shaft pivoted for rotation in proximity to said dial andmeans for actuating said pointer, mechanism for transmitting motion from said means to said pointer comprising a ivoted bar having one end linked to said means, a bar having a slot therein, a pin extending from said base and into said slot, the other end of said pivoted bar being pivotally connected to saidsl'otted bar, acrank and crankshaft associated with andoperatively connected to said slotted bar and connected:to said shaft, said pin, pivot connection and crankshaft being parallel to each other, said pin being disposed between. said pivot connection and crank, whereby line motion of said means is translated into rotation of said pointer.

4. In a device for converting line motion into 2,8?737 '55 rotation {having ,rafbase, means '{for causing I-ine nioti'onf a rotatable shaft-[mechanism for transmatin motionfrom "sa' id'means to saidshaft comprising 'a pivotedfba'r' having one end "linked to said means, a bar-havi-nga slot-therein, a pin extending from said base and into said slot, the

' other 'e'rfd of said pivoted bar-being pivotally cone motion, a rotatable shaft, mechanism for transmittingmotion from said'means to sai'd shaft comprising a pivoted bar having one end linked to said means, a bar having a slot -ther'ein, a' pin extending fromsaid base and said-slot,' the other end I of said pivoted bar being-pivotally connected to said-slotted ban-a crank and-"crankshaft associated with and'operatively connected to said slotted bar and connected to said shaft, said pin,

pivot connection-{and crankshaft being parallel to each other, whereby line motion-of-said means is translated into rotation of' said shaft.

"6. Iri a device for converting line motion :into

rotation having a base,- means for causing line motion, a rotatable shaft, mechanism for trans-i mitting "motion from s'aid means to said shaft comprising a pivoted bar having one end linked to said means, a bar having a slot therein, a pin extending from said base and into said slot, the

other end of said pivoted bar being pivotally con- *nected to said slotted bar, a crank and crank- 1 shaft associated with and operatively connected to'said slotted barand connected to said shaft, said pin, pivot connection and crankshaft being parallel to each other, said pin being disposed .between said pivot connection and crank, whereby line motion of said means is translated i'nto'rotation of said shaft.

7. In a gauge having'a base, a dial mounted thereon, a pointer secured to a shaft pivoted for rotation in proximity to said dial and means for actuating said pointer, mechanism for transmitting motion from said means to said pointer comprising a pivoted bar having one end linked to said means, a bar having a slot therein, a pin extending from said base and into said slot, the other end of said pivoted bar being pivotally connected to said slotted bar, a crank on said slotted bar and connected to said shaft, the relative position of said pin being such that said pointer. is adapted to rotate about 270, whereby line motion of said means is translated into rotation of said pointer.

8. In a gauge having a base, a dial mounted thereon, a pointer secured to a shaftpivoted for rotation in proximity to said dial and means for actuating said pointer, mechanism for transmitting motion from said means to said pointer com- I prising. a pivoted bar having one endlinked to ting 'motion trom said means to said pointer emnprising apivoted b'ar having one end linked to said means, a bar having aslottherein, fa pin extending from s'aid base arid intosaid slot, theother end of saidpivoted bar being pivo'tallyconnected. to-sa-id slotted "ban a crank on said slotted. bar and connected to said s'haft', said pin extending toa point in said *slo't, "whereby sline motion of said meanszis translated intorotationpf said- I Ot-In a gauge havingia base, .a dial mounted thereon, a pointer secured to a shaft. pivoted for rotation in proximity to said dial and means for actuating "said pointer, mechanism for transmitting motion fromvsaid'meansato said pointer Com-m prising a fr'ame ha'ving two -.'parallel members, 'a pivot held between said members, a bar \onv said pivot, one endthereof b'eingFlinked to said means,

a slotted bar, the I other end of said pivoted bar being' pivotally connected: to 'oneend of said slotted barJa'pinpassinig through'said slot and fixed inset-id members, a crankshaft 'mountedin said membersgsaid pointer :shaft being integral with said crankshafira crank on :said crankshaft, the other end of said 7 slotted bar I being mounted on said crank. i Y 1 1. In-a gauge-having a"base, a dial mounted thereon, a pointer secured-toa shaft pivoted :for

rotation in proximity to said dial and means'for actuating said pointer, mechanism for transmitting motion from said means tosaid pointer comprising a frame having two parallel members, a pivot held between said members, a bar on said pivot, one end thereof being linked to saidmeans,

a slotted bar, the other end of said pivoted bar being pivotally connected to one end of said slot- 1 ted bar, a pin passing through said slot and fixed in said members, acrankshaft mounted in said said crank, said pivoted and slotted bars being intermediate and parallel with said members.

said means, a bar having a slot therein, a pin extending from said base and into said slot, the

actuating said pointer, mechanism for transmit- 12. In a gauge having a base, a dial mounted thereon, a pointer secured toa shaft pivoted for rotation in proximity to said dial and m'eansfor actuating said pointer, mechanism for'transmitting motion from said means to said pointer comprisingv a frame having two parallel members, a pivot held between said members, a bar on said pivot, one end thereof being linked to said means,

a U-shaped crank, the other end of said pivoted bar being journaled in said crank, one of the legs of said U being slotted, a pin in said frame engaged in said slot, the other leg of said U having an extension operatively connected to the pointer shaft to rotate the same.

13. In a gauge having a, base, a dial mounted thereon, a pointer secured to a shaft pivoted for rotation in proximity to said dial and means for actuating said pointer, mechanism for transmitting motion from said means tosaid pointer comprising a frame having two parallel members, a pivot held between said members, abar on said pivot, one end thereof being linked to said means,

a U-shaped crank, the otherend of said pivoted bar being journaled in "said crank, one of the legs of said U being slotted, a pin in said frame engaged in said slot, the other leg of said U having an extension operatively connected to the pointer shaft to rotate the same, said journal, pin and extension being parallel to each other, said extension being off-center relative to said pointer shaft.

14. In a gauge having a base, a dial mounted thereon, a pointer secured to a shaftpivoted for rotation in proximity to said dial and means for actuating said pointer, mechanism for transmitting motion from said means to said pointer comprising a frame having two parallel members, a

.pivot held between said members, a bar onsaid pivot, one end thereof being linked to said means, a U-shaped crank, the other end of said pivoted bar being Journaled in said crank and being embraced by said crank, one of the legs of said U being slotted, a pin in said frame engaged in said slot, the other leg of said U having an extension cperatively connected to the pointer shaft to rotate the same.

15. In a gauge having a base, a dial mounted thereon, a pointer secured to a shaft pivoted for rotation in proximity to said dial and means for actuating said pointer, mechanism for transmitting motion from said means to said pointer comprising a frame having two parallel members, a pivot heldbetween said members, a bar on said pivot, one end thereof being linked to said means,

a U-shaped crank, the other end of said pivoted,

, pointer.

thereon, a pointer secured to a shaft pivoted for actuating said pointer, mechanism for transmit-- ting motion from said means to said pointer comprising a pivoted bar having one end linked to said means, a bar having a slot therein, a pin extending from said base and into said slot, the other end of said pivoted bar being pivotally connected to said slotted bar, a crank on said slotted bar and connected to said shaft, the relative position ofv said pin being such that said pointer is adapted to rotate at least 360", whereby line motion of said means is translated into rotation of said pointer.

1'7. In a gauge having a base, a dial mounted thereon, a pointer secured to a shaft pivoted for rotation in proximity to said dial and means for actuating said pointer, mechanism for transmitting motion from said means to said pointer comprising a pivoted bar having one end linked to said means, a bar having a slot therein, a pin extending from said base and into said slot, the other end of said pivoted bar being pivotally connected to said slotted bar, a crank associated with and operatively connected to said slotted bar and connected to said shaft, whereby line motion of said means is translated into rotation of said FREDERICK C. BUECHMANN. 

